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I think this episode confirms that Eru is actually quite cunning under that naive exterior of hers, and that goes back to at least the hotsprings episode, and maybe before. I more and more think at least on some level, Eru knew that her ability in even the first episode to get Oreki to indulge her curiosity went beyond exasperation, and involved his physical inability to resist his attraction toward her. Part of her hyper aggressiveness before was just her quirky personality, but it seemed to also be a convenient way for her to get physically close to Oreki with some degree of plausible deniability (which I think she's still too bashful to do without)--ep. 19 was the most spectacular example of that. But the kimono scene showed her relying not so much on masking what she wanted to do with her eccentricities, and on a more straightforward form of flirting. And I think it's clear Oreki is responding well to it. Him carrying things for her was a nice touch.

I think this episode confirms that Eru is actually quite cunning under that naive exterior of hers, and that goes back to at least the hotsprings episode, and maybe before. I more and more think at least on some level, Eru knew that her ability in even the first episode to get Oreki to indulge her curiosity went beyond exasperation, and involved his physical inability to resist his attraction toward her. Part of her hyper aggressiveness before was just her quirky personality, but it seemed to also be a convenient way for her to get physically close to Oreki with some degree of plausible deniability (which I think she's still too bashful to do without)--ep. 19 was the most spectacular example of that. But the kimono scene showed her relying not so much on masking what she wanted to do with her eccentricities, and on a more straightforward form of flirting. And I think it's clear Oreki is responding well to it. Him carrying things for her was a nice touch.

I don't see it that way, to be honest. Remember that she has to ask Irisu how to persuade people and failed using that advice. Her "charm" only works on Houtarou naturally and not because she intended it to be so. I've said that before in the episode thread that I think her comment about the mixed bath was meant to show that she is an old-school type. (Someone mentioned that traditionally, onsen was always mixed until the western culture came in.) That comment was a part of her "high status family's lady," similar to how she is so worry about sparking a rumor while representing her family. It is something that we will comment, like Houtarou, that there's a world we have no idea about. It also add a little bit to her "mysterious" character as well.

I can see why a lot of people see it differently, but I simply see her offer of using her obi as just what it is. She simply try to provide the last option. It's not like she'll be completely naked if her kimomo comes off. It does, however, shows that she trust him enough to rather let him see her wrapped in a loose kimono than letting the rumor spread. Or she just value her family's image more than her dignity. Or both.

I don't see it that way, to be honest. Remember that she has to ask Irisu how to persuade people and failed using that advice. Her "charm" only works on Houtarou naturally and not because she intended it to be so. I've said that before in the episode thread that I think her comment about the mixed bath was meant to show that she is an old-school type. (Someone mentioned that traditionally, onsen was always mixed until the western culture came in.) That comment was a part of her "high status family's lady," similar to how she is so worry about sparking a rumor while representing her family. It is something that we will comment, like Houtarou, that there's a world we have no idea about. It also add a little bit to her "mysterious" character as well.

Certainly I believe that her comments and actions are meant innocently. The joke is that if you look at this pattern of behavior through shipping goggles, you can build a remarkable case on circumstantial evidence that she is an S-rank seductress who has Oreki on marionette strings. Contrast that image with her derping her way around the cultural festival and completely failing when she tried to be manipulative on purpose. The comedy becomes evident.

Eru's not doing it on purpose, at least not on any conscious level, but I think that Hyouka as a show is pretty deliberately scattering these little tidbits for shipper consumption.

Certainly I believe that her comments and actions are meant innocently. The joke is that if you look at this pattern of behavior through shipping goggles, you can build a remarkable case on circumstantial evidence that she is an S-rank seductress who has Oreki on marionette strings. Contrast that image with her derping her way around the cultural festival and completely failing when she tried to be manipulative on purpose. The comedy becomes evident.

Eru's not doing it on purpose, at least not on any conscious level, but I think that Hyouka as a show is pretty deliberately scattering these little tidbits for shipper consumption.

Well, my shipping goggles just work a little differently. They need no seducing from one another. They just naturally charmed by the other's true self. That's how I see an OTP.

Oh god. The ship-teasing is reaching unbearable levels. This is especially painful since we know that it won't be going anywhere.

Other than that, a wonderful episode. This is likely the closest we've gotten to a true slice-of-life series (please bear with me for using the term) in, maybe, a few years. The portrayal of Japanese culture and tradition, particularly that of New Year, in this episode was just excellent. There's just something in shows like these that allow you to appreciate the world around you. All-in-all, I'm glad to see the episode pay attention to the little intricacies in the nature of Japanese society. It really gives you a feel of how far away their world is from ours.

That aside, I also enjoyed it for some golden interactions between Eru and Houtarou.

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Well, my shipping goggles just work a little differently. They need no seducing from one another. They just naturally charmed by the other's true self. That's how I see an OTP.

Yeah, I don't there's any sort of overt manipulation going on, but both characters have great chemistry, and it shows, even if they don't realize it themselves. She's just flirting with the boy she likes, and he's responding. That they're not completely aware of what they're doing doesn't mean what they're doing is any less natural.

From what I remember of my own teenage years, there was a lot of awkward obliviousness to the flirting I did, but I still did it, even if I didn't fully realize it.

Yeah, I don't there's any sort of overt manipulation going on, but both characters have great chemistry, and it shows, even if they don't realize it themselves. She's just flirting with the boy she likes, and he's responding. That they're not completely aware of what they're doing doesn't mean what they're doing is any less natural.

From what I remember of my own teenage years, there was a lot of awkward obliviousness to the flirting I did, but I still did it, even if I didn't fully realize it.

A rare appearance from Aquifina. You need to post more mate, I always liked reading your posts back in the day

A rare appearance from Aquifina. You need to post more mate, I always liked reading your posts back in the day

Thanks for the kind words!

You know what also struck me about this episode, now that I think about it? Chitanda's social graces and polish. When she has to (i.e. when representing her family), she seems more than capable of fulfilling her responsibilities, even though her "normal" personality at school is so different.

I know a lot of people were negative on her character starting out, since she seemed to be there just to be cute and zany (I honestly would have been fine with that), but I'm impressed how the writers have fleshed out her character considerably. For me, the writers started to show more explicitly that she had real smarts during the film arc, when she played such a crucial role in figuring out the real story behind the movie script. Chitanda is clearly not some autistic savant who has a photographic memory but can't analyze the raw data in a coherent fashion. And in ep. 19, she really does help Oreki out with her questions and criticism when they're figuring out the counterfeiting case.

It would be nice if they gave Kaho more development and screen time. She gives off a unique elegant vibe and comes from the same society as Erisu and Eru minus being manipulative or ditsy moeblob. What makes her unique is how she can tease or you could take it as flirting. Maybe she hides a mischief personality that you couldn't tell just by looking. Satoshi did state that Kaho "is too much for him to handle" and she made Oreki show a face reaction we haven't seen him do before. I think i rewatched that scene over a few times lol

I found it curious how Kaho asked about Satoshi by name but couldn't remember Mayaka's easily, too bad I don't think we'll be given more details on how they are related.

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You know what also struck me about this episode, now that I think about it? Chitanda's social graces and polish. When she has to (i.e. when representing her family), she seems more than capable of fulfilling her responsibilities, even though her "normal" personality at school is so different.

This is an aspect I really enjoy in this show, the way the characters behave changes clearly and considerably depending on who they interact with, just like that they gain 3D quality.